The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation, to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves.

From the book, "The effects of the Judean refugees' trauma would be far reaching. Certainly an individual named Ezekiel might have experienced persistent reactions to trauma for the length of time covered by the book. Moreover, the experience and effects of exile were not limited to Ezekiel, nor even to his generation. The book's existence attests that others in the exilic community, and beyond, found their experiences reflected in its words."

Endorsements

"For many reasons, the book of Ezekiel presents very hazardous waters. Nancy Bowen, however, navigates these treacherous waters with skill, insight, and humor! Bowen is particularly interesting as she weaves contemporary culture, trauma studies, and even the insights of traditional 'Spirituals' where Ezekiel was a favored subject. The result is a challenging and helpful overview of this provocative book."

The twenty-first century is marked by a growing awareness that trauma is a critical aspect of human experience. Whether through war, natural catastrophe, abuse, ethnic cleansing, oppression, or environmental crisis, trauma profoundly affects our lives. By taking trauma’s repercussions seriously throughout her commentary on Ezekiel, Dr. Bowen has given us a commentary that is profoundly respectful of our past, deeply relevant to our present, and critically important to our future as individuals, as a community, and as a people of faith.